CHAPTER 3

“Mom, are the mermaids real?”

“The world is big, Sierra. Very wide sea. You know, we may not be the only ones living here.”

I remember what my mother said when I once asked her about the children's book she was reading to me. Although Mama did not directly answer my question, I immediately understood what she meant.

“Thank you.” I said softly and took my change from the woman's hand. I took the two eco bags of grocery I bought at the convenience store and left. After cleaning up this morning I hurried to get dressed to buy my necessities. 

I did not get lost because the town is small and the market is in the center. I hurriedly walked around looking for a public transport but only a few passed by and there were still passengers. 

I was just going to walk home because it looked like there was no hope that I could ride but I stopped and dropped my shopping when I collided with something.

“Sorry!” I heard a baritone voice say as I bent down and picked up my groceries.

I did not bother to answer or even look up to see the face of the person I collided with. It helped me pick up my purchases so we finished easily.

I shook the two eco bags before standing up and looking into the eyes of the person in front of me. But I blinked when our eyes met.

Am I just mimicking or is his eyes are really yellow?

“I’m sorry, I didn't see you.” He apologizes again.

I nodded at him and smiled sparingly. I am not used to talking to other people especially when I do not know each other. I just smiled at him so I wouldn't look stubborn.

“You're new here, aren't you?” 

I nodded. Wondering why he still doesn't leave in front of me. 

“I guess, you live in the old house at the end of town, right?”

 I nodded again. No wonder people here know there is a beginner and where I live.

“It looks like your on your way home. Care for a ride?” he offered, smiling

I was surprised but I did not let him notice. I stared at his face to see if he was serious and I could see he was not joking. I thought of his offer.

There is nothing wrong to hitch a ride. I will just thank him when we arrive, besides I’m sure we’ll never meet again.

But surprisingly, he offered me because he did not know me and I was a foreigner here.

He seemed to notice my hesitation. He scratched his head and laughed. "Don't worry, I'm just going home near where you live. By the way, I'm Summer." 

I raised an eyebrow at his name. "Sierra." I answered sparingly and shook his hand.

“I know, my name is so girly. You may not believe me but Summer is really my name.” he explained with a laugh.

I just nod at him even though I didn’t even gave a comment about his name. 

"I'll go with you." I declared.

Summer smiled immediately and lead me to his car. On the side of an old pickup truck we stopped. 

He opened the door of the passenger's seat and like an escort he gestured inside. “After you, my lady.”

Play boy. I said to myself.

When he entered the drivers seat, he immediately started the car. And only now do I realize what he said earlier. I turned to him to ask.

“There are no houses along the road to where I live, what do you mean you r house is just near?”

He glanced at me while driving. “There are other houses near where you live, you just can't see it.”

Even though the last words were a whisper, they still did not escape my hearing. I frowned and looked down the road. I did not ask any more questions and let what I heard slipped.

When we arrived at the old house I immediately went out of his car and thanked him. A sweet smile came out of his lips and he saluted to me before hitting his car.

Astonished, I followed his trail. I thought he will turn back to where we were earlier but he drove straight to the woods. 

Mind your own business, Sierra! I preach to myself. I shook my head and carried the groceries. I entered the house and ignored the ignorance of my new acquaintance.

After I did what I had to do, washed the dirty clothes, washed the dusty stuff, I decided to take a break.

I lay down on the sofa and I was about to close my eyes when I heard the voice calling me again.

“Sierra…”

Annoyed, I got up. I was tired from the trip yesterday and I am tired of cleaning all day now and then there is a disturbance  that I can not determine where from!

But surprisingly, as it repeatedly called me, the direction in which he came from also became clearer. followed the voice calling to me and I was stranded in the back of the house.

A huge tree dancing in the fresh air appeared in front of me.  

“Sierra…”

The voice is weakening. I think it's in the jungle! But it was night and it was dark, only the moonlight served as a light for me to see a little. 

I still can't forget the yellow eyes that suddenly appeared somewhere yesterday. Exactly in front of me were the plants where I saw the pair of eyes.

“Sierra…”

The voice called again. "Who are you ?! Show up!"

I shouted several times and asked where she was but there was no response. I stepped forward to enter the forest when I heard a crackle. 

The surroundings were very quiet, only crickets roared on the cold night. I look around and tried to see in the darkness.

“Sierra…”

This time, it really annoyed me to the pits. “Just fucken show up!”

I've been here outside for so long and the night is getting darker. The moon hid behind the clouds so darkness covered the whole place. The air is getting colder making me shiver. 

“Sierra…”

I was ready to enter the house and ignore the caller but I stopped because his voice seemed to be weakening and he was just trying to speak. It seems to be struggling and asking for help.

“Find me… in the forest.”

And that's where curiosity finally ate me up.